This 2009-2012 IFDS Functional Classification System & Procedures Manual has largely been rewritten to accommodate both the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) requirements.

A summary of the changes are:

a. Procedures concerning Protests and Appeals have been clarified.

b. Although all sailors must report to a Classification Panel before their first race in the new Quadrennium, the procedure will be quick and simple for sailors who already know their Class and Status. New expressions have replaced old - previous T, PRS, and PPS status are now respectively N (New) R (Review) and C (Confirmed) to align with the IPC Code.

c. Although there are no major changes affecting Classification points, the system now includes specific wording to enable broader inclusion of persons presenting dwarfism who may not have been eligible to compete according to the previous system. Discussions are ongoing concerning other disabilities not yet included.

d. Also, SKUD18 teams continue to include at least one female, but one of the sailors may be 1 point or 2 points, the other must have at least minimal disability.

e. The IFDS Classification Administration Fee has been increased to 50 Euros.

Tom Burton (AUS) and Alison Young (GBR) hit the right note in the Laser and Laser Radial at ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne as they took out the top honours and qualification spots to the 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup Final.

It was double Australian gold in the Paralympic classes. Matt Bugg (AUS) came out on top in the 2.4mR whilst London 2012 Paralympic SKUD18 gold medallists Dan Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch (AUS) were triumphant in the two person keelboat.

Lithuania's Juozas Bernotas came out on top in the Men's RS:X whilst Russia's Stefania Elfutina was triumphant in the Women's RS:X. Both sailors claim the first Abu Dhabi ISAF Sailing World Cup Final spots whilst Jock Calvert (AUS) and Joanna Sterling (AUS) picked up the Oceanic spots for the Emirati finale.

There was some fast paced action in the 49er and 49erFX Medal Races at ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne as Nathan Outteridge & Iain Jensen (AUS) and Maia & Ragna Agerup (NOR) claimed the honours and Abu Dhabi final spots.

A tight group of five young Papua New Guinean (PNG) Laser sailors are stepping up their 2015 Pacific Games competition program using this week's ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne. PNG is one of 33 countries represented at the important Oceanic event, the largest Olympic sailing regatta in the southern hemisphere.

Melbourne, Australia will host the final Rio 2016 Paralympic Games qualification regatta in 2015. With just under one year until the event, the 2015 IFDS Worlds was launched at ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne.

ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne kick starts the journey to the 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup Final in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates with qualification spots and top ranking points available in the Australian city.

Shawn Bennett (USA) won the Long Beach Stop of the 2015 California Dreamin' Series Sunday in this International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Grade 3 match racing regatta hosted by Long Beach Yacht Club and raced on the Long Beach Sailing Foundation's fleet of Catalina 37s.

After the limits of the southern oceans imposed by the combination of the weather systems and the safety barrier of the Antarctic Exclusion Zone, the Atlantic is opening up for the top trio of the Barcelona World Race.